A number of people have spotted the Cardinal Spider already, ahead of spider mating season next month

Huge spiders that can grow up to 14cm long could be lurking in your home or your garden. The Cardinal Spider, also known as Tegenaria Parietina, is the UK’s biggest, and is typically found in buildings and on walls.

The rumour is that we have Cardinal Wolsey to thank for its name, as it is claimed he was terrified of them. Though they are found more commonly in the south of England, a number of social media users from across the UK have recently reported seeing them in their houses and outdoor spaces.

They’re almost always found in or close to buildings, and are recognisable due to a typical light drawing with two oval spots on the abdomen. They are usually reddish brown in colour, although young ones can be much lighter.

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Cardinals are not thought to be dangerous and although they have been known to bite, their small fangs should only render a “mild discomfort” in humans.

September to mid-October is known as spider season, as this in when many come into people’s houses looking for mates. However, as previously stated, a number of people are already reporting noticing Cardinals in and around their properties.